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Liverpool striker Luis Diaz's previous statements about meeting Lionel Messi resurfaced following his impressive brace in the Red's 3-0 Premier League home win over Bournemouth on Saturday, September 21. Diaz has faced Messi only three times, all of which came when Argentina faced Colombia in international fixtures.
In a 2022 interview with SoHo magazine, Diaz had shared his feelings on meeting Messi for the first time while representing Colombia (via GOAL):
"I almost died. I almost said 'I love you' and everything, haha! Truly, he has always been my reference. My great idol was Ronaldinho, but since he is retired, I was never able to play against him. The day I meet him (Messi), I am really going to die!"
Diaz continued:
"I love Messi. The first time I had contact with him was in a Colombian game in Barranquilla, but I didn't start; I was just starting out in the national team. And then I came across him in the Copa America two years ago, and it was a great emotion."
The first time Luis Diaz faced Leo Messi was during a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier match. The duo then faced off again in the 2021 Copa America semi final, which Argentina won 4-3 on penalties.
Most recently, Diaz's Colombia faced Messi's Argentina in the 2024 Copa America final, where La Albiceleste secured a 1-0 victory in extra time.
"My life is already sorted" - When Luis Diaz explained how he landed a Lionel Messi shirt
In his aforementioned interview with SoHo Magazine, Luis Diaz also shared how he got hold of a signed shirt from Lionel Messi despite never exchanging shirts with him during a match. The Colombian recalled:
"I haven't exchanged shirts with him. But I already have his, I asked him through another player, he signed it for me and everything, he put it 'with affection for Luis'. My life is already sorted with that shirt!"
Diaz's admiration for the Argentine legend was further established when he chose Lionel Messi over the latter's arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, as per Mundo Deportivo, in a video to choose between the two icons.
In similar lines, Luis Diaz was asked to take his pick between Messi's former club, Barcelona and Ronaldo's former club, Real Madrid. The Liverpool forward didn't hesitate to pick Barca.
Diaz has five goals and one assist for Liverpool across competitions this season. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi returned to the pitch for Inter Miami last week after being out for two months with an ankle injury.
